In a significant development for free speech rights, the Glendale City Council has voted to repeal three ordinances that previously criminalized panhandling within the city. This decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by three Glendale residents, who argued that these bans infringed upon their First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit, initiated on July 30, 2025, contended that the city’s ordinances violated constitutional protections by penalizing individuals for soliciting financial assistance in public spaces. Represented by the ACLU of Arizona, Public Justice, and the First Amendment Clinic at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, the plaintiffs sought to halt the enforcement of these laws.
On September 9, 2025, the City Council voted to repeal the contested ordinances, effectively ending the criminalization of panhandling in Glendale. This move aligns with federal court decisions that have consistently deemed such bans unconstitutional.
Lauren Beall, Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Arizona, emphasized the broader implications of this repeal, stating, “Criminalizing a person asking for help isn’t only unconstitutional, it’s wrong. Punishing someone with an exorbitant fine or putting them in jail when they can’t make ends meet perpetuates a vicious cycle that keeps people struggling and in poverty.”
This repeal marks a pivotal moment for Glendale, reflecting a commitment to upholding constitutional rights and addressing the needs of its most vulnerable residents.